Massage applicator



- Aug. 18, 1931; 7R. H. VAN SANT 1,319,623

MASSAGE APPLICATOR Filed Nov. 1927 .F] E" A? uni-Ill! iiiiiiiiiiiiii'l'fl'ilmuAs Patented Aug. 18, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROBERT H. VAN SANT, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AssieNoR 'ro van ESS LABORATORIES,

Ind, A conronnrron or DELA W'ARE 1 MASSAGE .APPLICA'IOR Application filed. November 10, 1927. Serial No. 232,252.

This invention relates to a massage applicator and concerns itself with means for sealing the applicator before use, which sealing means is adapted to be perforated for the flow of ointment when it is desired to use the same.

The invention comprises the novel structure and combination of parts hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out w and defined in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of this invention and in which similar reference numerals refer to similar features in the different Views:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the applicator.

Figure 2 is a side elevational View of the same.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view thru the applicator and the neck of an ointment flask showing the sealing disk before perforation.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 5 showing the sealing disk after perforation.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the sealing disk after perforation.

Figure 6 is a bottom plan View of the applicator.

As shown on the drawings:

In the drawings, there is shown an applicator 1 which preferably consists of some flexible material as rubber. The applicator is provided with massaging nipples 2 and ointment feeding nipples 3, the latter ofwhich are provided with ducts 4 extending through the applicator.

The applicator is adapted to seat upon the top of the neck 5 of an ointment flask as shown in Figures 3 and 4, and a flanged collar 6 which is threaded upon the neck of the flask clamps the applicator upon the flask; the flange 6a of the collar encompassing the upper margin of the applicator.

In accordance with this invention, a sealing disk 7 of a size substantially equal to the bottom area of the applicator is interposed between the applicator and the flat top of the neck of the flask as shown in Figure 3. The margin of this sealing ring is adapted to be firmly clamped between the tle whereby the margin of the sealing ring will be firmly clamped between the applicator and the flat top of the neck of the flask as shown in Figure 3.

' The sealing disk may be made of parafiine paper, celluloid or any other material that is impervious to'ointment and will seal the applicator against the exit of ointment when the same is in transit and handled before use.

Atthe central part of the lower surface of the applicator there is a concave recess 8from which suitable ducts 9 extend. These ducts 9 extend to the ducts 4 in the feeding nipples 3. There is one duct 9 for each ointment feeding nipple. The sealing ring is perforated or punctured with one or more holes 11 by sticking a pin or the like through the top of the applicator in the space defined by the circle 10 which is directly opposite the recess 8 when it is desired to use the applicator. The ointment can then seep through the perforations and into the recess Generally, the collar or metal 8 from which it can flow through the ducts 9 to the feeding nipples. The applicator is generally made of some resilient material as rubber, and it will readily be appreciated that the holes that may be punched through the applicator during the operation of per forating the sealing disk will immediately close as soon as the pin is withdrawn. In Figure 4 there is shown in dotted lines the holes in the applicator as punched by the needles, and each dotted line is traversed by a single line which shows how the holes close after the perforating pin or needle has been removed to prevent the escape of oint ment. In the use of the applicator, the flexure of the resilient rubber disk 1 will displace air from the recess 8 and ducts 9 and cause the ointment to flow through the restricted openings 11, thereby causing a pumping action. The structure operates somewhat similar to a diagram pump.

In the past it has been necessary to make very fine ducts in the feeding nipple in order to limit the quantity of ointment going through the feeding nipples. To construct an applicator with feeding nipples having such fine ducts has heretofore been an expensive operation, which greatly increases the cost of the applicators. According to the present invention, the applicators may be molded in sheets and then stamped and any size ointment feeding ducts may be used that can be readily formed, since the flow of the ointment is governed by the number of perforations 11 in the sealing disk. The user will, of course, make sufiicient perforations in the sealing disk to secure the desired flow of ointment.

I am aware that many changes may be made, and numerous details of construction may be varied through a Wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon, otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

An applicator having ointment feedingnipples and a recess in its bottom with passages extending from said recess to said feeding nipples, a sealing disk upon the bottom of the applicator, and means on the top of the applicator defining the location of the recess for the purpose of perforating the sealing disk when the same is put to use.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

ROBERT n. VAN SANT. 

